IN HOC SIGNO

I can just imagine the conversation, can't you? It probably went something like "I know it's a debut, so let's base it on the First Crusade, okay? Let's approach the Italian progressive form from the fusion end, ensure we include plenty of KBB-style violin work, and we'll get in loads of guests to add dramatic bits and pieces including VDGG's David Jackson. They won't know what's hit them!" Albums and groups tend not to come out of left field like this very often these days, so it is always a very pleasant surprise when they do, as there is no way that a band recording their debut after only being together for a few years should sound as polished and convincing as this. Mattia Liberati (keyboards) and Flavio Gonnellini (guitar), were already members of the funk/jazz-rock trio The Big Chill when they decided to do something different, but they have brought their jazz influences with them (Mattia also brought loads of keyboards and I think he used all of them somewhere, listing Hammond B3, Mellotron M400, Fender Rhodes Mk II, MiniMoog, MiniMoog Voyager, Korg MS20, Elka Synthex, Jen SX1000, Clavia Nord Stage Revision B).

I have always been a fan of Italian Progressive Rock, and these guys have certainly brought together influences such as PFM, with the incredible violin jazz prog of KBB to create something that has multiple layers and incredible depth. Igor Leone has a wonderful voice, and breaks through when he needs to, lifting above everything with clear diction and great control. But what really makes this album work so well is the blending together of some many different ideas and instruments into something that is incredibly complex, yet is always extremely easy to listen to. This is not being clever just for its' own sake, but is all about making music that is easy to understand and leaves the listener with a smile on their face. Prog doesn't get much better than this. www.blackwidow.it